History That Lasted 25 Minutes

image taken from google.com

Yesterday, I was holding a piece of Brunei's history in my fingertips but for only about 25 minutes. It was a 1967 50cent Brunei coin which I had stumbled upon from a cashier while giving me back change.

How did I lose it after making a declaration that the coin I found was to be a special one, a lucky one, my personal treasure and an extraordinary find? 

I mistakenly gave it back to the cashier after making another purchase at the same store. This I realized after parking my car back at home. Habitually, I tend to pay exact change as my men's wallet is although coin friendly but doesn't allow enough to feed a vending machine. It forms an unsightly bulge in the back as well.

Guess it wasn't meant to be. A 43 year old coin. My loss. That coin has been circulating through different hands, cashiers, probably been on a ride in an airplane to a foreign country but was saved from being exchanged. That coin had different traders, purchased numerous items including an item that costs 50 cents back in 1967. 

From my father's sms: 'My son,baras $3 sagantang, gula $1.25 sakati, $1.75 lauk rumahan sakilo, tiket wayang cheap matinee $1.75 klas kambing untuk sorang(??????), biji kopi mantah $4.50 butul basar, 50cent? gula sakati '


Other than the goat class in the cinema, it shows a pretty good idea of how the standard of living was back in 1967.
 

Something significant happened in 1967. The abdication of Almarhum Begawan for His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

That coin witnessed the change in Head of State, was probably in someone's pocket or sitting in a drawer listening to the radio broadcast of the proclamation. That coin was our first 'locally owned' currency as our Currency Board was established in June 1967. 

Oh my, what a loss.

P.S If only that coin could talk.

Till The Day You Are Free-Khutbah Jumaat 29/1/2010

taken from newsweek.com

Mo money,mo money and mo money. Debts, debts and more debts.

Yup, I learnt my lesson.

Digging one hole to close another. For those who are lucky and diligent enough to claw their way out are fully relieved that they have escaped the clutches of the monkeys that ride on their back from month to month, from year to year.

So what is the actual root of the problem and how is it that many have succumbed to this situation which could have been avoided that it had to be addressed nationwide?

Not all are guilty, but many have fallen victim?

Here are more ways as to how the community can be 'saved' from being victims.

Compulsory switching from a credit oriented card to one that is debited.

Reconfigure items that can't be purchased through a loan system such as home theater systems, lcd/plasma tv screens, mobile phones etc etc etc (hehe impersonating Yul Brynner) but giving way to more essential ones such as car tyres, food stocks which does not include eateries and restaurants, school fees or buying school books etc etc etc (haha).

Basically differentiating between, which are wants and which are needs, from necessities to luxuries, from must haves to maybe next time items.

Developing a paternal type of system that supervises rather than leave the customers with the power of choice. This is something that financial institutions have been more than happy to reiterate, 'the power of choice' and is perfectly legal. No bank would dare to say this, but I'll say it for them, 'We are investing in your ignorance'

Undoubtedly, customers should know better, choices of which should be denied access for those who aren't capable and strong enough to resist temptations of luxuries.

I do suggest people to watch Suze Orman on CNN, even though some aspects may not apply to our financial system, but money is money and everybody has to have control over it. 'You are DENIED!', you'll hear that often. (We should have our own Suze Orman on RTB)
Other than that, you'll feel the panic or the sense of urgency in saving for the future when watching this show.

P.S I do not agree, 'Basar kuali nya, basar jua karaknya'

Caricarture Yourself

This guy's really gifted!

Wanna have a little bit of fun with your pictures? Well, Din hails from Kuala Belait and has shown samples of his work on his blogspot, http://www.dinkartun.blogspot.com/, which includes contact numbers and methods of payment.

The good thing is, Din has managed to make it easier for people to submit their photos, requested designs and other details online. Great way to work bro! He's on facebook as well so shouldn't be too hard to find him.

So have a haha hehe of yourself today and caricarture your photo away. Kids will love this.

P.S Hmmm... gambar baru kah atau yang lama bisai. :)

A Serious Education For A Serious Career

A Serious Education For A Serious Career

Click on it to find out more about a career in video game development. I relayed this post to a friend of mine and he is quite tempted to go. 10 months of intensive training in Singapore is nothing nowadays. With 2 or 3 blinks, the course will be over.(2 3 kali bekarap mata, abis tia) Haha, I think something really got lost in translation.

 I wonder if Brunei's counterpart could invite them to set up shop here. We already have several computer programming 'schools' here, but with video games programming will up the ante quite a bit. I'm led to believe that in this day of age of computers and the internet, some babies were even born with a mouse in hand.


P.S Video gaming is a serious career. Salute Geekonomics! :)

Follow Your Blood Trail

image taken from whatsmybloodtype.org

Ah hah! Another way to find out new things about ourselves. We are able to know this from which blood type we are.

Take me for example, I'm A+ (positive). From this I am able to know the history of my bloodline, which diet is suitable for me, what makes it unique, suitability of social interactions and weather conditions, weight loss tips most suitable to your blood type and last but not least, personality.

Interestingly enough, in Japan, blood types are even asked during interviews and consultation for marriages.

Click here to find out what's unique about your blood type. http://www.dadamo.com/

Credits and Thanks to tekiding for highlighting this :)

P.S The color is still red.

Surrendering To Caesar

taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vercingetorix

I'm a avid addict when it comes to history of famous wars and battles. This painting is one of my all time favorites.

This shows a Gaul warrior/chieftain/general, Vercingetorix surrendering to Caesar. Now this happened in the battle of Alesia around the year 52 BC. For more info regarding about this , click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Alesia

What I'd like to do is emphasize more regarding the painting itself. What do you see from a painting such as this one?

Remember, this painting was created by a painter in the 19th century, long after this event happened itself. The painter would've have to read or learned this from history books, scrolls or archives. In other words, the painter must've formed an opinion on how the characters' facial expressions, stance, conditions, ambience and time if factual logs are unavailable.

What do I see?
1) Probably a messenger being held captive after delivering his general's message of surrender.
2) The throwing down of Vercingetorix's sword or weapon as sign of defeat (from his open hand and by looking at the posture of the soldiers sitting next to Caesar.
3) The uplifted face of Caesar's officers when receiving news of the enemy's surrender.
4) The beseiged city of Alesia (it's quite an undertaking as Caesar built two fortification walls surrounding it throughout)
5) The general's last defiance by not coming down from his horse even during an official surrender.

So what is my point and what am I rambling about?

(IMHO) Finally, Caesar said, a formidable opponent in which probably spared the Gallic tribes' their lives out of Caesar's new found respect for Vercingetorix whom fought admirably and surprised Caesar with his battle tactics and strategy. How it must've felt to be in his shoes at that time when knowingly that his end is near.

P.S To be a reporter during those times.

No Longer the Presidents' Son

A new wave of scammers using women's names and profiles is the new modus operandi to hit the internet. It used to be the son of a general or a relative of a rich dictator that needed help to release frozen funds from banks. And now, they're using women to bait unwary or wary? men into their nets.

I heard that pensioners were also targeted by con men or women to part with their hard earned money. Now how do they get the information from?

It's a bit worrying that children or young people tend to accept strangers as friends especially from social websites such as Facebook, Friendster etc. By posting pictures of families, family functions, social events and personal details without having their settings set to a certain limit will ultimately expose them to predators.

But then again, even interested individuals may 'borrow' a trusted friend's account to view such details of the targeted person. Hmm.....

Well, the user's discretion is a must for the sake of family's security, prevent robbers from targeting your house etc.

This is website of known names and pictures of scammers. Click here.http://419.bittenus.com/photos.htm

P.S They won't know, unless you tell them.

Cervical Cancer

I find this quite important. Please do get the injection especially for young teenage girls as it is the most suitable time for them to have these inoculations.

More local info regarding this, click here. http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/?c=newsDetail&news_id=3683

P.S My daughter is on her 2nd dose.